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The Black Hills National Forest, which is located primarily in southwestern South Dakota but extends into Wyoming, encompasses more than a million acres. It was established in 1897 by President Cleveland, and includes Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Custer State Park, the largest state park in South Dakota. In addition to commercial, U.S. Forest Service and Custer State Park campgrounds, you can camp anywhere in the National Forest outside the developed campgrounds, but water may not be available, and fires are prohibited.

Items you will need

Tent

Sleeping bag and sleeping pad

Propane or white gas stove

Water filter

Food

Extra clothing

Step 1

Research the available campsites to pick the kind suited for you. Some are developed and some aren't. Commercial campgrounds, such as Custer Crazy Horse Campground (see Resources), are right off the road and feature amenities like Wi-Fi, showers and general stores. The forest has 30 campgrounds with 682 sites, offering a more rustic experience; some of the campgrounds have pit toilets, not flush toilets. Custer State Park has 10 campgrounds.

Step 2

Examine the weather patterns and average temperatures for the different months and choose the best time to go based on your equipment (see Resources). The forest service and Custer State Park campgrounds are open year-round, but you should have winter camping gear, including sleeping bags rated to 0 degrees F, for camping between mid-November and March.

Step 3

Call the campgrounds and reserve a space. Forest Service campgrounds have a maximum 14-day stay limit, and spaces can be reserved by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations at the Custer State Park campgrounds can be made by calling 800-710-2267.

Step 4

Arrive at your campground in the early afternoon so that you have plenty of daylight to pitch your tent or park your RV and set up your site. Check in with the campground attendant, if there is one.

Step 5

Fill up your canteens with water after pitching your tent, either from the pump, if there is one, or by using a water filter to filter water from a stream or other water source.

Step 6

Pull out your sleeping bag and put it on the sleeping pad in the tent several hours before going to sleep, so that the fill of the bag has time to expand after being compressed in the stuff sack.

Step 7

Use a propane or white gas stove to cook food. While many sites allow fires in designated fire pits at some times, fires might be prohibited due to forest fire hazard.

Step 8

Wear a hat to sleep at night to stay warm. The Black Hills are the highest mountains east of the Rockies, rising to over 7,000 feet, and night time temperatures are cool. According to Blackhillstouristinfo.com, even in summer months the average lows are in the low 50s.

Warning

Mountain weather can be unpredictable. Bring rain shells when camping in the Black Hills and be prepared to hike back to your car if you are camping outside one of the designated campgrounds when the weather changes.

Resources

About the Author

Candace Horgan has worked as a freelance journalist for more than 12 years. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, including the "Denver Post" and "Mix." Horgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and history.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.